Board limits sale of bottles of hard liquor

Downers Grove is getting tough on alcohol consumption by barring the sale of bottles of hard liquor to patrons at village watering holes.

The Village Council unanimously passed an ordinance this week that forbids bars and restaurants to sell bottles of vodka, gin, whiskey and other distilled spirits to customers.

A state liquor law recently was amended that allows two or more patrons to order a bottle of distilled spirits for consumption on a licensed premise. However, Illinois liquor laws allow a municipality to restrict the law as necessary to meet the municipality's needs.

Unlike Chicago nightclubs that offer package deals where patrons can rent a couch and purchase a bottle of hard liquor at prices that start at $250, Downers Grove restaurant managers say restricting the law in the suburbs does not affect their business.